The Rhesus of Euripides Part 7

ANOTHER.

'Twas one Koroibos, called the Mygdon's Son.

THE GUARD.

And after?

THE OTHER.

The Mount Taurus men Had second watch: from them again The Mysians took it. We came then.

A GUARD.

'Tis surely time. Who will go tell The fifth watch? 'Tis the Lycians' spell By now; 'twas thus the portions fell.

ANOTHER. [vv. 546-561]

Nay, hearken! Again she is crying Where death-laden Simos falls, Of the face of dead Itys that stunned her, Of grief grown to music and wonder: Most changeful and old and undying The nightingale calls.

ANOTHER.

And on Ida the shepherds are waking Their flocks for the upland. I hear The skirl of a pipe very distant.

ANOTHER.

And sleep, it falls slow and insistent.

'Tis perilous sweet when the breaking Of dawn is so near.

DIVERS GUARDS (_talking_).

Why have we still no word nor sign Of that scout in the Argive line?

ANOTHER.

I know not; he is long delayed.

ANOTHER.

G.o.d send he trip not on the blade Of some Greek in an ambuscade!

ANOTHER.

It may be. I am half afraid.

LEADER. [vv. 562-572]

Our time is past! Up, men, and tell The fifth watch. 'Tis the Lycians' spell Now, as the portions fairly fell.

[_The Guards pa.s.s out to waken the Lycians. The stage is empty and dark except for the firelight, when a whisper is heard at the back. Presently enter_ ODYSSEUS _and_ DIOMEDE _in dull leather armour_, DIOMEDE _carrying at his belt_ DOLON's _wolf-skin and mask_.

ODYSSEUS.

Diomede, hist!--A little sound of arms Clanking. . . or am I full of void alarms?

DIOMEDE.

No. 'Tis some horse tied to the chariot rail That clanks his chain.--My heart began to fail A moment, till I heard the horse's champ.

[_They steal on further, keeping in the shadow._

ODYSSEUS.

Mind--in that shade--the watchers of the camp.

DIOMEDE.

I keep in shadow, but I am staring hard.

ODYSSEUS.

Thou know'st the watchword, if we stir some guard?

DIOMEDE. [vv. 573-584]

Phoebus. 'Twas the last sign that Dolon gave.

[_They creep forward in silence to the entrance of_ HECTOR's _tent_.

ODYSSEUS.

Now, forward!

[_They dash into the tent, swords drawn; then return._

G.o.d! All empty as the grave!

DIOMEDE.

Yet Dolon told us Hector's couch was made Just here. For none but him I drew this blade.

ODYSSEUS.

What means it? To some ambush is he gone?

DIOMEDE.

Maybe, to work some craft on us at dawn.